The path is officially cleared for a sea change on the Cook County Board of Review, a three-member elected body that hears appeals to property tax assessments. But what would be a celebratory occasion for the winning candidate is clouded by a lawsuit filed by her former campaign strategist, who alleges the candidate failed to pay her thousands of dollars.
Democratic incumbent Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi conceded to primary challenger Samantha Steele early Friday, meaning two of the board’s three seats are slated to be filled with newcomers. Steele, an assessment official who previously worked on Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s transition team, campaigned on a platform of reform and putting “in place best practices so we maintain the highest ethical standards.”
But a lawsuit filed by her former campaign operative, Rebecca Williams, claims Steele reneged on their contract and improperly canceled more than $19,000 in payments Steele owed her after a falling-out over a Juneteenth event.
Williams’ suit said she is also due a $15,000 “win” bonus now that Steele has prevailed in the election.
A Steele campaign spokesperson strongly denied the claims made in the lawsuit.
Williams’ attorney, Scott Kane, has handled a number of breach-of-contract and wage-payment dispute claims, and said Steele’s actions were “outrageous.”
According to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court last week, Steele hired Williams and her company, Oasis Strategies, to consult for her campaign...
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